Compressed open cell foam nozzle sealing assembly

ABSTRACT

A photographic film cassette having a processing station configured to dispense processing fluid to the film strip following exposure thereof and including a valve-like member carrying a compressed open cell foam material saturated with a coagulating chemical adapted for sealing of the processor nozzle following application of the fluid to the film strip. The foam material is located upon the sealing area of the valve and is made of a material which expands upon contact with the processing fluid causing the foam material to seal any discontinuities in the nozzle and the surrounding area. Additionally, the coagulating chemical is released upon contact with the processing fluid to further aid in the sealing function.

United States Patent Lippert et al.

COMPRESSED OPEN CELL FOAM NOZZLE SEALING ASSEMBLY Inventors: Irving S.Lippert, Lexington; Joseph A. Stella, West Peabody, both of Mass.

Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, M ass.

Filed: Nov. 19, 1973 Appl. No.: 416,762

Assignee:

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Rudolph 222/559 Batter et al.222/559 X Feb. 25, 1975 3,785,725 1/1974 Batter et al. 352/130 X PrimaryExaminerFred L. Braun Attorney, Agent, or Firm-William A. Danchuk [57]ABSTRACT A photographic film cassette having a processing stationconfigured to dispense processing fluid to the film strip followingexposure thereof and including a valve like member carrying a compressedopen cell foam material saturated with a coagulating chemical adaptedfor sealing of the processor nozzle following application of the fluidto the film strip. The foam material is located upon the sealing area ofthe valve and is made of a material which expands upon contact with theprocessing fluid causing the foam material to seal any discontinuitiesin the nozzle and the surrounding area. Additionally, the coagulatingchemical is released upon contact with the processing fluid to furtheraid in the scaling function.

31 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTED FEBZ 51975 sauna; 3

PATENTEB FEB25|975 SHEET 2 9 3 COMPRESSED OPEN CELL FOAM NOZZLE SEALINGASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Thisinvention relates to photographic film cassettes and more particularlyto a multipurpose film handling cassette having an improved filmprocessing station.

2. Description of the Prior Art The present application is addressed tophotographic film cassettes from which the film strip need not beremoved during the exposure, processing and projection operations.Exemplary of such systems, are those described in prior US. Pat. No.3,615,127 of Edwin H. Land issued Oct. 26, 1971; and Pat. No. 3,641,896of Rogers B. Downey issued Feb. I5, 1972. Each of the systems describedin the aforementioned patents employ a photographic film cassette whichincludes a processing station through which processing fluid may beapplied to a film strip following its exposure. The processing fluid isinitially stored within the cassette in a dispensing container fromwhich it may be released through a nozzle onto the exposed film strip asthe latter is transported there-across.

Following application of the processing fluid to the film strip, it isimportant to effectively control further flow of the fluid from theapplication system in order to prevent impairment of the film strip.Hence, in the above-noted US. Pat. No. 3,64l ,896 a closure member isdisplaced across the nozzle once the application of the fluid iscompleted. Similarly, the cassette system described in the commonlyassigned patent application Ser. No. 227,092 (now US Pat. No. 3,785,725)of John F. Batter, Jr., et al., filed Feb. 17, 1972, which providessubstantially automatic processing of the film in response toappropriate transport of the latter within the cassette, employs avalve-like closure member configured for displacement into blockingposition across the processor nozzle following treatment of the film.

Since the nozzle structure usually includes a doctor blade element, aperfectly coplanar nozzle surface is not generally available for sealingengagement, and hence, it is difficult to completely eliminate leakageof fluid from the applicator solely with a rigid valve member.Additionally, in the processing system utilized in the aforementionedcopending patent application the valve plate is laterally displacedacross the nozzle surface and between it and a film engaging pressurepad so as to simultaneously close off the nozzle and to also cam the padout of its operative position at the completion of the processingoperation. Hence, during the valve displacement its leading edge is insliding contact with portions of the nozzle surface and is therebysubjected to the possibility of catching on one of the variousdiscontinuities in the surrounding area. In accordance with the above,and additionally since the valve is actuated by film movement such thatthe force available for closing theformer is limited, it is desirable toalleviate possible jamming of the valve in the nozzle opening whileproviding a suitable seal for the latter.

Exemplary of one way of achieving a suitable seal for the nozzle surfaceis that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,772,975 of John F. Batter, Jr., AlbertHeld, and J- seph A. Stella. As described and claimed in the abovenotedpatent, a thin surface coating is formed on the movable valve and isdisplaced into contact with the nozzle to seal the processor nozzle andsurrounding area. While providing an adequate seal, the employment of athin coating surface on the movable valve lacks the thickness necessaryfor assuring a substantially perfect seal of the processor nozzle andthe surrounding area.

Consequently, an important object of this invention is to provide animproved system for applying a pro cessing fluid to a strip of exposedphotographic material.

Another primary object of this invention is to provide a film cassettehaving a fluid applicator system including an improved relativelyinexpensive and extremely effective means for selectively sealing thelatter following its operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a film handlingcassette having a fluid applicator system including a slide valve memberincluding a compressed open cell foam material saturated with acoagulating chemical adapted for cooperation with a nozzle opening forselectively sealing the latter.

Still a further object and feature of this invention is to provide afilm handling cassette having a fluid applicator system including amovable slide valve member including camming surfaces positioned thereonwhich prevent the slide valve from jamming as it is moved intocooperation with a nozzle opening.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A multipurpose motion picture film handlingcassette in accordance with the invention includes a cassette housinghaving an applicator system disposed therein which is configured fordispensing processing fluid to the film strip of the film handlingcassette at an appropriate time during the operational program. Theapplicator system includes a nozzle opening which permits flow of thefluid to the film strip and includes a sealing member configured fordisplacement across the nozzle opening. Carried on the surface of thesealing member is a piece of compressed open cell foam materialsaturated with a coagulating material which interacts with theprocessing fluid to expand and conform to the nozzle surface and therebyprovide contiguous contact therewith and a peripheral seal around itsopening and into its opening once the sealing member is displaced to itsclosed position.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing member is a slide valve whichis displaced across the nozzle in a plane substantially parallel to theplane of engagement with the nozzle opening and between it and apressure pad, responsive to film movement at the completion of theprocessing operation. An open cell foam material located on the nozzleside of the valve is configured to become compliant and swell once itcontacts the processing fluid, so as to fill any voids between the valveand the nozzle and thereby provide a complete perimetric seal around andinto the nozzle opening. Contact of the open cell foam material with theprocessing fluid causes the coagulating material to release the foammaterial for expansion and absorption of processing fluid. Thecoagulating chemical also thickens the processing fluid and aids in thesealing function. Additionally, the valve is provided with a pair ofraised portions for allowing the valve to be easily displaced across thenozzle without jamming within the nozzle itself.

3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION 'oF THE DRAWINGS The novel features that areconsidered characteristic of the invention are set forth withparticularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however,both as to its structure and its operation together with the additionalobjects and advantages thereof will best be understood from thefollowing description of the preferred embodiment when read inconnection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a motion picture film handlingcassette embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the film strip employed in thecassette shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the coating nozzle which forms a part of thecassette shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view in section of the coating nozzle taken along line 4-4of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the sealing member employed in the cassette ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a view in elevation of the sealing member shown in FIG. 3

FIG. 7 is a view partially in cross section of the applicator system ofFIG. 1 showing the sealing member in its closed position; and

FIG. 8 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary view of the applicator systemas shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a further enlarged view of the applicator system of FIG. 8with portions fragmented to more clearly show internal detail; and

, FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a portion of the applicator system ofFIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The illustrated embodiment ofthis invention, which may be best understood by first referring to FIG.1 of the drawings, employs a multipurpose film handling cassette 10 ofthe type described in the abovementioned copending patent application.The cassette 10 is configured for substantially automatic processing ofthe film strip responsive to appropriate transport of the latter. Inthis regard, the cassette of the illustrated embodiment includes anapplicator system, explained in detail below, which is operable inaccordance with a particular film transport program controlled by aspecial projector. It should be understood, however, that while theinvention disclosed herein is particularly applicable to the cassette ofthe type described in the copending application it is not restricted tothe same and may, of course, be applicable to any multipurpose filmcassette.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cassette 10 comprises a generally parallelepipedcasing or housing 12 constituted by planar faces or side walls 14 and16, end walls 18 and 20, and elongated top and bottom edge walls 22 and24. Carried within the housing 12 is a photographic film strip 26 whichis permanently attached at one of its ends, as later explained in regardto FIG. 2, to a rotatable supply spool or reel 28 from which it extendswithin the housing 12 in an extended path around suitable rollersgenerally designated at 30, 32 and 34 to a take-up spool or reel 36 towhich the opposite end of the film is attached. In its path within thehousing 12, the film 26 extends across a normally inoperative filmprocessing station 38, explained in detail below, and across an opening40 which functions at different times to facilitate both exposure andprojection. For facilitating the latter operation, a prism 42 is mountedbehind the film strip 26 in an adjoining relation to both the opening 40and to an illumination aperture (not shown) of the side wall 14. For afurther understanding of the nature and operation of prism 42, referenceshould be made to U.S. Pat. No. 3,807,842 of Philip G. Baker.

In order to fully understand the operation of the cassette 10, it isadvantageous to look at the strip 26 which is utilized therein and isillustrated in FIG. 2 as viewed from the outer side of the film as shownin FIG. 1. Preferably, the film strip 26 comprises a base of anysuitable transparent material carrying, at least over a photographicallyuseful length 44, an emulsion or photosensitive coating of anyconventional variety as, for example, an emulsion capable of beingdeveloped by a monobath processing composition to form a positivetransparency suitable for projection. A currently preferred embodimentof the invention makes use of a film structure, which, upon the base,comprises a photosensitive layer including both a photosensitivenegative emulsion and an image-receiving layer to which a positive imagemay be transferred by diffusion during development without necessitatingthe subsequent removal of the emulsion containing its developed negativeimage. This highly desirable feature is made possible by a developednegative image having low covering power.

A composite film assembly of this type, as well as processingcompositions for producing a fully developed black and white imagewithout the necessity of removing the developed negative image afterprocessing is shown in prior U.S. Pat. No. 2,861,885 to Edwin H. Land,which issued on Nov. 25, 1958 for Photographic Processes and Products."Other composite film assemblies capable of producing developed fullcolor images without the necessity of removing the developed emulsionare shown in prior U.S. Pats. of Edwin H. Land, Nos. 2,726,l54, issuedDec. 6, 1955 for Photographic Product, and 2,944,894, issued July [2,1960 for Photographic Process Utilizing Screen Members.

As shown in FIG. 2, the strip 26 includes a leader 46 terminating at anend formed with an aperture 48 which serves to connect that end of thefilm to the takeup spool 36. Behind the leader 46 is the strip 44 ofphotographically useful film upon which projectable images may beformed. Following portion 44 is a trailer region, generally designatedat 50 which includes an aperture 52 by which end 50 of the film isconnected to the supply spool 28. Located along one edge of the filmstrip 26 are a plurality of sprocket holes 54 which are configured forcooperation with a drive pawl (not shown) in either a camera orprojector for incremental advancement of the film. Adjacent the trailingend 50, the seriesof sprocket holes 54 are interrupted by a firstelongated sprocket hole 56 which may, for example, span two of thesprocket holes 54. Further, along the film in the direction of thesupply reel end, the series of sprocket holes 54 is again interrupted bya second elongated hole 58, longer than the sprocket hole 56, and forexample, spanning three of the sprocket holes 54.

As described in the aforementioned copending patent application, thefirst elongated sprocket hole 56 terminates the advance of the film inthe camera not shown) and thereby establishes an exposure end point,whereas the second sprocket hole 58 determines a film take-up orprojection end point in the projector apparatus (not shown). Thesedifferent termination points are employed since it is preferred toadvance the film beyond the exposure end point before applyingprocessing composition to the exposed film, and for that purpose, adouble film drive pawl (not shown) such that the film may be carriedbeyond the first elongated hole 56 until the second elongated hole 58 isencountered. This further advancement of the film in the projector unitis accomplished in order to bring a detent engaging element orprojecting bump 60 into cooperative engagement with a pressure padelement of the processing station 38 as will be subsequently described.Additionally, the leader end 46 of the film strip 26 carries anotherdetent engaging element, here shown as an aperture 62, which serves toactuate a valve member also forming a part of the processing station 38.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the film processing station 38 generallycomprises a housing 64 having a first compartment or receptacle 66retaining a source of processing fluid or composition 68 mounted over asecond internal chamber 70 which communicates with a coating nozzlegenerally designated at 72.. The fluid 68 which may, for example, be anaqueous alkaline solution such is described in the aforementioned USPat. No. 2,861,885, is initially retained with the tublike receptacle 66by means of a tear tab 74. The tear tab 74 extends from the housing 64to an actuating assembly generally designated at 76. The latter, as de'scribed in the aforementioned copending patent application Ser. No.227,092 (now US. Pat. No. 3,785,725) extends beneath thesupply spool 28to a hook-like end member 78 which is releasably latched to an uprightpost 80 and in engagement with a cam member 82. As will be noted in moredetail below, upon insertion of the cassette into the projector (notshown) the cam 82 is appropriately displaced by a cassette-latchingshaft (not shown) of the projector to drive the hook 78 from the post 80and into engagement with one of the four teeth 84 of the supply spool 28under the urging of a spring (not shown). Then upon subsequent rotationof the spool in the rewind direction shown by the arrow in FIG. I, theactuating assembly 76 is similarly rotated to tear the tab 74 fromcovering relationship with the receptacle 66 and thereby releases itsfluid 68 to the nozzle 72.

Located beneath the exterior surface 86 of the nozzle 72 is a pressurepad assembly 88, which is shown in FIG. 1 in the initial positionassumed upon assembly of the cassette and prior to processing. As shown,the film strip 26 normally passes between the nozzle surface 86 and thepad 88. The latter is mounted on and biased towards the nozzle surface86 by a lcat'spring 90. and one end 92 of the pad 88 is configured toengage the base of the film 26 so as to cooperate with a protuberance 60of the trailing end thereof as will be explained below.

As is shown more clearly in FIGS. 3 and 4, nozzle 72 includes an orificeor nozzle opening 94 enclosed by a U-shaped film engaging land orsurface portion 96 and a doctor blade surface 98. The doctor bladesurface 98 is slightly depressed, for example. up to 0.001 of an inch,below the substantially planar surface portion 96 and controls thethickness of the processing fluid applied during the processingoperation. The blade surface 98, in conjunction with portions of theU-shaped surface 96, form the perimeter of the orifice 94 areappropriately sealed following treatment of substantially the completelength of the film strip 26. The nozzle 72 is provided at its sides withdepending posts 100 and 102 which provide guidance for the film strip 26in its path past the orifice 94 and also serve as stops for the sealingmember which is described below.

Displaceably mounted in adjoining relation to the other end 104 of thepressure pad assembly 88 is a sealing member or wedge-like slide-valve106 which is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 5 and 6. As shown therein,the valve 106 includes a substantially planar valve plate 108 formed atone end 110 with tapering sides which serve to guide the plate into ajuxtaposed relation beneath the nozzle opening 94 as the plate is movedfrom left to right as seen in FIG. 7. When in that position, a pair ofshoulders 112 and 114 cooperate with the stop posts 100 and 102 to stopthe valve 106 in its closed position. Additionally provided on valveplate 108 are two raised conically shaped dimples 116 and 118, thepurpose of which will be discussed below.

Carried on either side of the valve plate 108 are depending orthogonalextensions forming a pair of depending cams I20 and 122, respectively,which serve to depress the pressure pad assembly 88 away from filmengagement as will be subsequently explained in regards to operation ofthe cassette. As shown, the cam 120 is shorter than the cam 122 in orderto facilitate threading of the film strip 26 during assembly of thecassette 10. Toward the left end of the plate 108, the cam 122 forms anarm portion 124 extending substantially parallel to the plate.Integrally formed with the arm 124 is a spring arm extension 126 whichengages the film 26 and is adapted to cooperate with the film aperture62 of its trailing end so as to thereby displace the slide-valve 106into its closed position at the completion of the initial rewind aslater explained with regards to the operation of the cassette.

Carried on the valve plate 108 in proper position for cooperation withthe nozzle surfaces bounding the opening 94 is a piece of sealingmaterial 128, configured for providing a contiguous, perimetric contactaround and partially within the opening following displacement of thevalve 106 to its closed position shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In a preferredembodiment of the present invention, the sealing material 128 iscompressed open cell foam material saturated with a coagulating chemicalthen compressed dried and coated with a polyvinyl chloride coating forprotecting the foam from decaying over long periods of time. The opencell foam material may be a urethane open cell foam, a polystyrene opencell foam or most any plastic open cell foam structure which may becompressed. The coagulating chemical when dried in the foam tends toretain the foam material in its compressed state until the coagulatingchemical contacts the wet processing fluid. One coagulating chemicalused with good results is lamino-2-sulfo-4-amino-n-butyl-anthraquinone,the structural formula for which is:

O NR

NH-C 1-1 -11 When the slide valve 106 is moved to its nozzle closureposition subsequent to processing, the open cell foam comes in Contactwith the remaining developer. The coagulating chemical performs twofunctions at this point. First, the dried coagulating chemical interactswith the wet processing fluid and physically releases the foam materialfrom its compressed state for its expansion and absorption functions.Second, the coagulating chemical interacts with the processing fluid andactually coagulates the latter such that the mixture of the twoeventually becomes a hard solid mass.

The interaction between the processing fluid, the foam material, and thecoagulating chemical may be better understood by referring to FIG. 9. Itis believed that when the foam material is moved into juxtaposition withthe nozzle opening, the dried coagulating chemical within the foam 128begins to interact with the excess processing fluid in an area 130closest to the nozzle opening 94. As the coagulating material begins tointeract with the fluid, it releases its holding function on foammaterial 128 thereby releasing the foam material for expansion. Thecoagulating chemical interacts with the processing fluid, thickening itwithin the foam material 128, thereby minimizing further penetration ofthe processing fluid into the foam material 128. In a time lapse sense,the area 130 of the foam has absorbed more fluid than area 132 whichabsorbed more fluid than the area 134. The more fluid the foam materialabsorbs, that is, the deeper the processing fluid penetrates, the morecoagulating chemical is released thereby both further expanding the foamand slowing down the penetration of the processing fluid through thefoam material 128. Note in this regard that area 130 has almostcompletely expanded while the area 136, adjacent plate 108, has notexpanded at all. When final sealing occurs, foam material 128 hasabsorbed processing liquid within itself in a substantially nonlinearinverse proportional manner to the distance of a unit volume of foammaterial from the point of contact of the foam material 128 and theprocessing fluid. The nonlinear function noted above is that of a stepfunction. As a result, absorption of the processing fluid proximate thenozzle opening is guaranteed within the foam material 128. Additionally,the foam material 128 has a high degree of expansion from its compressedstate to its expanded state. Accordingly, the expanded foam is capableof efficiently filling all the discontinuities of the nozzle opening 94as well as the area surrounding the nozzle opening and doctor blade.

An additional advantage is gained in employing the coagulating chemicalto saturate the foam material. Specifically, a seal, shown generally at138 is formed at the top of the expanded foam within the nozzle opening.This seal is a result of the chemical interaction between thecoagulating chemical and the processing fluid. When dried, thecombination of the processing fluid and coagulating material forms ahard relatively impenetrable seal within the nozzle area for preventingthe leakage of any excess processing fluid past the foam material.

As indicated previously in this embodiment, the displacement of theslide valve to its closed position is responsive to the force of thefilm movement. Hence, the displacement force is of limited magnitude andit is important that the nozzle and surrounding area minimumlyinterferes with the movement of the valve across the nozzle surface 96.This is particularly important in the illustrated embodiment, where theslide valve 106 additionally functions to cam away the pressure pad 88,and hence, the foam 128 is forced toward the nozzle surface 96 duringthe valve displacement. To facilitate these requirements, the slidevalve ofthe illustrated embodiment is provided with two conically shapeddimples 116 and 118. Dimples 116 and 118, as seen in FIGS. 5, 6 and 10,are of increasing height to a maximum at a point closest to foammaterial 128, which is slightly greater than the height of the foammaterial. Dimples 116 and 118 are sufficient to cam the leading edge ofslide valve 106 out of jamming engagement with the surrounding nozzlearea during movement of valve plate 108 subsequent to processing. Thedimples 116 and 118 angle the leading edge downward to prevent itsjamming. Advantageously, the dimples exceed the length of the nozzleopening, as measured in direction of film travel, so as to prevent thedimples from fully dropping into the latter. Subsequently, dimples 116and 118 fall off the bottom of the nozzle area 140 and into a furtherstepped depression 141 located in the bottom area of the nozzle.Movement of dimples 116 and 118 into depression 141 both insures properengagement of foam 128 with the general nozzle area and further acts asa locking mechanism for preventing valve plate 108 from moving back tothe left as viewed in FIG. 10.

To enable a more complete understanding of the novel unit, the overalloperation of the system will now be explained. As previously indicated,upon insertion of the cassette 10 into a projector (not shown) followingexposure of its film, a latching-shaft (not shown) enters the cassetteand depresses the cam 82 thereby releasing the pod actuating assembly 76into spool engagement. Then, the film 26 is driven slightly furtherforward by the double claw (not shown) so as to bring the filmprotuberance 60 into contact with the end 92 of the pad 88 and therebydisplace the latter to the left from its initial position shown inFIG. 1. This permits the pad 88 to spring upwardly to its operativeposition (not shown) under the urging of the spring 90 and thereby carrythe emulsion side of the film strip 26 into coating engagement with thenozzle surface 96. Thereafter, upon initiation of film rewind, andhence, clockwise rotation of the film spool 28, the tab 74 is torn fromthe fluid receptacle 66 so as to release the fluid 68. The latter flowsto the nozzle opening 72 and through it to the film strip 26 such that athin layer of processing fluid is deposited on the film during therewind operation. When the film strip 26 is substantially completelyrewound onto the supply reel 28, the aperture 62 engages the arm 124 ofthe valve 106 and displaces the latter to the right as shown in FIG. 1and across the nozzle opening 72 to its closed position as shown in FIG.7. Dimples 116 and 118 cam the leading edge of plate 108 out ofengagement with the nozzle area in order to facilitate and insure themovement of the valve plate 108 to its closed position.

Upon reaching its sealing location wherein its shoulders 112 and 114 arepositioned against the stop and 102 of the nozzle 72, the valve foammaterial 128 is brought into contact with remaining portions of thefluid 68 in the area of the orifice 94 and appropriately interact withthe latter to soften, partially release its coagulating material, andsignificantly expand so as to fill any voids existing between the valveplate 108 and the nozzle surfaces 98 and 96. As shown more clearly inFIG. 9, the foam material 128 specifically fills the depression providedby the doctor blade surface 98 and prevents any further escape of fluidat this point. Additionally, the coagulating material interacts with theprocessing fluid to thicken the latter and prevent maximized penetrationof the open cell construction of the foam material. Additionally,sufficient coagulating material is released by the interaction of thefoam material with the processing fluid to form a miniscus shaped sealwithin the nozzle orifice which cements the two when dried.

It will be seen that by this invention there is provided an improvedphotographic cassette and fluid applicator which efficiently treatsphotographic film following its exposure; and includes compressed opencell foam means for effectively sealing the applicator nozzle uponcompletion of its operation. An efficient sealing member which includesmaterial configured for interacting with the processing fluid tocoagulate and form a permanent seal of the applicator nozzle isdisclosed. Further, the compressed open cell foam seal material is alsoadapted to cement the open cell foam sealing member in its finalposition.

This invention may be practiced or embodied in still other ways withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential character thereof. The preferredembodiments described herein are therefore illustrative and notrestrictive. the scope of the invention being indicated by the appendedclaims and all variations which come within the meaning of the claimsare intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is: 1. A film handling cassette comprising: a housingconfigured for retaining a strip of photographic film; t processingmeans including a dispensing receptacle configured to retain a quantityof processing fluid to be applied to such strip of photographic filmsubsequent to its exposure, said dispensing receptacle having adispensing nozzle opening formed therein through which such processingfluid is applied to such photographic film strip; and sealing means forsubstantially closing said nozzle opening following dispensing of suchfluid, said sealing means including a compressed open cell foam materialsaturated with a coagulating chemical, said compressed open cell foammaterial being selectively released for expansion when said compressedopen cell foam is contacted by such processing fluid and saidcoagulating chemical interacts with said processing fluid to coagulatethe same, said foam material having an area at least in conformance withthe perimeter of said nozzle opening and configured to expand intosubstantially sealing contact with said perimeter, said chemicalcoagulating engaged portions of such fluid for preventing egress of suchprocessing fluid from said nozzle opening. 2. The film handling cassetteof claim 1 in which said sealing means is configured to be movablymounted proximate to said dispensing nozzle opening, said sealing meansbeing movable between a first position in which said sealing means is inan uncovering relationship with said dispensing nozzle opening and thearea surrounding the same and a-second position in which 10 said sealingmeans is in a covering relationship with said nozzle opening and thearea surrounding the same.

3. The film handling cassette of claim 2 in which said sealing meansincludes a substantially planar support member, said compressed opencell foam material being interposed between said planar support memberand said dispensing nozzle opening and the area surrounding thedispensing nozzle opening when said sealing means is in its said secondposition, said compressed open cell foam forcing itself into conformancewith said dispensing nozzle opening and the area surrounding the sameagainst said planar support member.

4. The film handling cassette of claim 2 in which said sealing meansincludes a substantially planar support member and ramp means formed onsaid support member for camming the leading edge of said support memberout ofjamming contact with said dispensing nozzle opening and the areasurrounding the same when said sealing means is moved between said firstposition and said second position.

5. The film handling cassette of claim 4 in which said ramp means areformed as a pair of conically shaped dimples on said support memberpositioned so as to engage said dispensing nozzle opening and the areasurrounding the same before said foam material is moved into coveringrelationship with said dispensing nozzle opening.

6. The film handling cassette of claim 1 in which said compressed opencell foam material is formed of a material configured to selectivelyabsorb a portion of said processing fluid such that the amount ofprocessing fluid absorbed by said compressed open cell foam per unitvolume is substantially nonlinearly inversely proportional to thedistance of said unit volume from the point of contact of said foammaterial and said processing fluid. said compressed open cell foammaterial being of a material further configured to selectively releasesaid coagulating chemical such that the amount of coagulating chemicalreleased per unit volume of foam material is substantially nonlinearlyinversely proportional to the distance of said unit volume from thepoint of contact of said foam material and said processing fluid.

7. The film handling cassette of claim 1 in which said compressed opencell foam material is of a material configured for selectively expandingupon contact with said processing fluid so as to expand into conformancewith said dispensing nozzle opening and the area surrounding the same,the amount of expansion of said compressed open cell foam material perunit volume being substantially nonlinearly directly proportional to thedistance of said unit volume from the point of contact of saidcompressed open cell foam material with said processing fluid.

8. The film handling cassette of claim 1 in which said open cell foammaterial is a piece of open cell plastic foam.

9. The film handling cassette of claim 8 in which said piece of opencell plastic foam is an open cell urethane foam.

10. The film handling cassette of claim 9 in which said open cellurethane foam is coated with polyvinyl chloride.

11. The film handling cassette of claim 9 in which said open cellurethane foam is saturated with a coagulating chemical:l-amino-2-sulfo-4-amino-nbutylanthraquinone.

12. The film handling cassette of claim 1 in which said coagulatingchemical is: l-amino-2-sulfo-4-aminon-butylanthraquinone.

13. An applicator system for applying a coating of processing fluid to astrip of exposed photographic material, said applicator systemcomprising:

a housing including means for defining a receptacle which contains aquantity of processing fluid, said housing further including meansdefining a nozzle opening through which said processing fluid is appliedto such strip of exposed photographic material; and

sealing means movably mounted proximate to said nozzle opening andconfigured for movement between a first position in which said sealingmeans is in an uncovering relationship with said nozzle opening and asecond position in which said sealing means is in a coveringrelationship with said nozzle opening, said sealing means including acompressed open cell foam material saturated with a coagulating chemicalwhich is selectively released to coagulate with said processing fluidwhen said compressed open cell foam material and said processing fluidare brought into contact, said compressed open cell foam being formed ofa material configured to selectively expand into conformance with saidnozzle opening and the perimetal area surrounding the same when saidcoagulating chemical and said processing fluid contact each other forpreventing egress of processing fluid therefrom subsequent to movementof said sealing means into covering relationship with said nozzleopening.

14. The applicator system of claim 13 in which said sealing meansincludes a substantially planar support member, said compressed opencell foam material being interposed between said planar support memberand said nozzle opening and the perimetal area surrounding the nozzleopening when said sealing means is in its said second position, saidcompressed open cell foam forcing itself into conformance with saidnozzle opening and the perimetal area surrounding the same against saidplanar support member.

15. The applicator system of claim 13 in which said sealing meansincludes a substantially planar support member and ramp means formed onsaid support member for camming the leading edge of said planar supportmember out of contact with said nozzle opening and the perimetal areasurrounding the same when said support member is moved between saidfirst position and said second position for preventing any jammingengagement between said support member and the nozzle opening and theperimetal area surrounding said nozzle opening when said sealing meansis being moved.

16. The applicator system of claim 15 in which said ramp means areformed as a pair of conically shaped dimples on said support memberpositioned so as to engage said nozzle opening and the perimetal areasurrounding the same before said leading edge of said support member maycontact the same.

17. The applicator system of claim 13 in which said compressed open cellfoam material is formed ofa material configured to selectively absorb aportion of said processing fluid such that the amount of processingfluid absorbed by said compressed open cell foam per unit volume issubstantially nonlinearly inversely proportional to the distance of saidunit volume from the point of contact of said foam material and saidprocessing fluid, said compressed open cell foam material being furtherconfigured to selectively release said coagulating chemical such thatthe amount of coagulating chemical released per unit volume of foammaterial is substantially nonlinearly inversely proportional to thedistance of said unit volume from the point of contact of said foammaterial and said processing fluid.

18. The applicator system of claim 13 in which said compressed open cellfoam material is of a material configured for selectively expanding uponcontact with said processing fluid so as to expand into conformance withsaid nozzle opening and the perimetal area surrounding the same, theamount of expansion of said compressed open cell foam material per unitvolume being substantially nonlinearly directly proportional to thedistance of said unit volume from the point of contact of saidcompressed open cell foam material with said processing fluid.

19. The applicator system of claim 13 in which said open cell foammaterial is in a piece of open cell plastic foam.

20. The applicator system of claim 19 in which said piece of open cellplastic foam is an open cell urethane foam.

2]. The applicator system of claim 20 in which said open cell urethanefoam is coated with polyvinyl chloride.

22. The applicator system of claim 20 in which said urethane foam issaturated with a coagulating chemical:l-amino-2-sulfo-4-amino-n-butylanthraquinone.

23. The applicator system of claim 13 in which said coagulating chemicalis: l-amino-2-sulfo-4-amino-nbutylanthraquinone.

24. An applicator system for applying a coating of processing fluid to astrip of exposed photographic material, said applicator systemcomprising:

a housing, including means for retaining a quantity of processing fluidand means defining a nozzle opening through which said processing fluidis applied to such strip of photographic material;

means for blocking said nozzle opening subsequent to the application ofsuch processing fluid to such strip of photographic material, saidblocking means including a support member mounted for slideabledisplacement across said nozzle opening defining means between a firstposition in which said nozzle opening is unblocked and a second positionin which said nozzle opening is blocked by said support means, saidsupport means having a support member surface oriented in a directiontoward said nozzle opening, and further including cam means locatedproximate the leading edge of said support member and extending fromsaid support member surface toward said nozzle opening for camming saidleading edge of said support member away from said nozzle openingdefining means during such displacement thereby preventing the leadingedge of said support member from engaging such nozzle opening and thearea directly proximate thereto, whereby jamming of said support memberis prevented.

25. The applicator system of claim 24 in which said cam means is formedas at least one raised ramped element located on said support memberproximate said leading edge of said support member, said at least oneraised ramped element being further located on one side of said supportmember which is moved into juxtaposition with said nozzle openingdefining meanswhen said support member is displaced to its secondposition.

26. The applicator system of claim 24 in which said cam means isconfigured to fall into a discontinuity located proximate the far end ofsaid nozzle opening as considered with respect to displacement of saidsupport member, said cam means preventing movement of said supportmember from said second position to said first position when said cammeans is disposed within said discontinuity.

27. The applicator system of claim 26 in which said cam means isconfigured as at least one ramped element having an inclined surfacewith a height greater at its trailing end than at its leading edge, saiddiscontinuity being formed as a step into which said at least one rampedelement is configured to fall when said support member is in said secondposition.

28. A sealing system for a fluid applicator which dispenses fluidthrough a nozzle opening formed in such applicator, said sealing systemsubstantially closing said nozzle opening following the dispensing ofsuch fluid, said sealing system comprising:

a support member mounted for movement from a first position in whichsaid support member is in a substantially uncovering relationship withsaid nozzle opening and a second position in which said support memberis in a substantially covering relationship with said nozzle opening;

compressible foam material located on said support member so as to bemoved into sealing juxtaposition with said nozzle opening when saidsupport member is in its second position so as to contact said fluidremaining proximate said nozzle opening subsequent to said fluiddispensing; and

means associated with said foam material for retain ing said foammaterial in a compressed state prior to contact with said fluid andreleasing said foam material for expansion into said nozzle opening forsealing the same subsequent to contact with said fluid, and further, forthickening engaged portions of said fluid for preventing said fluid frompassing through said foam material and exiting from said nozzle opening,

29. The sealing system of claim 28 in which said compressible foammaterial is an open cell urethane foam.

30. The sealing system of claim 28 in which said means associated withsaid foam material is a chemical with which said foam material issaturated.

31. The sealing system of claim 30 in which said chemical is acoagulating chemical: l-amino-2-sulfo-4- amino-n-butylanthraquinone.

1. A film handling cassette comprising: a housing configured forretaining a strip of photographic film; processing means including adispensing receptacle configured to retain a quantity of processingfluid to be applied to such strip of photographic film subsequent to itsexposure, said dispensing receptacle having a dispensing nozzle openingformed therein through which such processing fluid is applied to suchphotographic film strip; and sealing means for substantially closingsaid nozzle opening following dispensing of such fluid, said sealingmeans including a compressed open cell foam material saturated with acoagulating chemical, said compressed open cell foam material beingselectively released for expansion when said compressed open cell foamis contacted by such processing fluid and said coagulating chemicalinteracts with said processing fluid to coagulate the same, said foammaterial having an area at least in conformance with the perimeter ofsaid nozzle opening and configured to expand into substantially sealingcontact with said perimeter, said chemical coagulating engaged portionsof such fluid for preventing egress of such processing fluid from saidnozzle opening.
 2. The film handling cassette of claim 1 in which saidsealing means is configured to be movably mounted proximate to saiddispensing nozzle opening, said sealing means being movable between afirst position in which said sealing means is in an uncoveringrelationship with said dispensing nozzle opening and the areasurrounding the same and a second position in which said sealing meansis in a covering relationship with said nozzle opening and the areasurrounding the same.
 3. The film handling cassette of claim 2 in whichsaid sealing means includes a suBstantially planar support member, saidcompressed open cell foam material being interposed between said planarsupport member and said dispensing nozzle opening and the areasurrounding the dispensing nozzle opening when said sealing means is inits said second position, said compressed open cell foam forcing itselfinto conformance with said dispensing nozzle opening and the areasurrounding the same against said planar support member.
 4. The filmhandling cassette of claim 2 in which said sealing means includes asubstantially planar support member and ramp means formed on saidsupport member for camming the leading edge of said support member outof jamming contact with said dispensing nozzle opening and the areasurrounding the same when said sealing means is moved between said firstposition and said second position.
 5. The film handling cassette ofclaim 4 in which said ramp means are formed as a pair of conicallyshaped dimples on said support member positioned so as to engage saiddispensing nozzle opening and the area surrounding the same before saidfoam material is moved into covering relationship with said dispensingnozzle opening.
 6. The film handling cassette of claim 1 in which saidcompressed open cell foam material is formed of a material configured toselectively absorb a portion of said processing fluid such that theamount of processing fluid absorbed by said compressed open cell foamper unit volume is substantially nonlinearly inversely proportional tothe distance of said unit volume from the point of contact of said foammaterial and said processing fluid, said compressed open cell foammaterial being of a material further configured to selectively releasesaid coagulating chemical such that the amount of coagulating chemicalreleased per unit volume of foam material is substantially nonlinearlyinversely proportional to the distance of said unit volume from thepoint of contact of said foam material and said processing fluid.
 7. Thefilm handling cassette of claim 1 in which said compressed open cellfoam material is of a material configured for selectively expanding uponcontact with said processing fluid so as to expand into conformance withsaid dispensing nozzle opening and the area surrounding the same, theamount of expansion of said compressed open cell foam material per unitvolume being substantially nonlinearly directly proportional to thedistance of said unit volume from the point of contact of saidcompressed open cell foam material with said processing fluid.
 8. Thefilm handling cassette of claim 1 in which said open cell foam materialis a piece of open cell plastic foam.
 9. The film handling cassette ofclaim 8 in which said piece of open cell plastic foam is an open cellurethane foam.
 10. The film handling cassette of claim 9 in which saidopen cell urethane foam is coated with polyvinyl chloride.
 11. The filmhandling cassette of claim 9 in which said open cell urethane foam issaturated with a coagulating chemical:1-amino-2-sulfo-4-amino-n-butylanthraquinone.
 12. The film handlingcassette of claim 1 in which said coagulating chemical is:1-amino-2-sulfo-4-amino-n-butylanthraquinone.
 13. An applicator systemfor applying a coating of processing fluid to a strip of exposedphotographic material, said applicator system comprising: a housingincluding means for defining a receptacle which contains a quantity ofprocessing fluid, said housing further including means defining a nozzleopening through which said processing fluid is applied to such strip ofexposed photographic material; and sealing means movably mountedproximate to said nozzle opening and configured for movement between afirst position in which said sealing means is in an uncoveringrelationship with said nozzle opening and a second position in whichsaid sealing means is in a covering relationship with said nozzleopening, said sealing means including a compressed open cell foammaterial saturatEd with a coagulating chemical which is selectivelyreleased to coagulate with said processing fluid when said compressedopen cell foam material and said processing fluid are brought intocontact, said compressed open cell foam being formed of a materialconfigured to selectively expand into conformance with said nozzleopening and the perimetal area surrounding the same when saidcoagulating chemical and said processing fluid contact each other forpreventing egress of processing fluid therefrom subsequent to movementof said sealing means into covering relationship with said nozzleopening.
 14. The applicator system of claim 13 in which said sealingmeans includes a substantially planar support member, said compressedopen cell foam material being interposed between said planar supportmember and said nozzle opening and the perimetal area surrounding thenozzle opening when said sealing means is in its said second position,said compressed open cell foam forcing itself into conformance with saidnozzle opening and the perimetal area surrounding the same against saidplanar support member.
 15. The applicator system of claim 13 in whichsaid sealing means includes a substantially planar support member andramp means formed on said support member for camming the leading edge ofsaid planar support member out of contact with said nozzle opening andthe perimetal area surrounding the same when said support member ismoved between said first position and said second position forpreventing any jamming engagement between said support member and thenozzle opening and the perimetal area surrounding said nozzle openingwhen said sealing means is being moved.
 16. The applicator system ofclaim 15 in which said ramp means are formed as a pair of conicallyshaped dimples on said support member positioned so as to engage saidnozzle opening and the perimetal area surrounding the same before saidleading edge of said support member may contact the same.
 17. Theapplicator system of claim 13 in which said compressed open cell foammaterial is formed of a material configured to selectively absorb aportion of said processing fluid such that the amount of processingfluid absorbed by said compressed open cell foam per unit volume issubstantially nonlinearly inversely proportional to the distance of saidunit volume from the point of contact of said foam material and saidprocessing fluid, said compressed open cell foam material being furtherconfigured to selectively release said coagulating chemical such thatthe amount of coagulating chemical released per unit volume of foammaterial is substantially nonlinearly inversely proportional to thedistance of said unit volume from the point of contact of said foammaterial and said processing fluid.
 18. The applicator system of claim13 in which said compressed open cell foam material is of a materialconfigured for selectively expanding upon contact with said processingfluid so as to expand into conformance with said nozzle opening and theperimetal area surrounding the same, the amount of expansion of saidcompressed open cell foam material per unit volume being substantiallynonlinearly directly proportional to the distance of said unit volumefrom the point of contact of said compressed open cell foam materialwith said processing fluid.
 19. The applicator system of claim 13 inwhich said open cell foam material is in a piece of open cell plasticfoam.
 20. The applicator system of claim 19 in which said piece of opencell plastic foam is an open cell urethane foam.
 21. The applicatorsystem of claim 20 in which said open cell urethane foam is coated withpolyvinyl chloride.
 22. The applicator system of claim 20 in which saidurethane foam is saturated with a coagulating chemical:1-amino-2-sulfo-4-amino-n-butylanthraquinone.
 23. The applicator systemof claim 13 in which said coagulating chemical is:1-amino-2-sulfo-4-amino-n-butylanthraquinone.
 24. An applicatoR systemfor applying a coating of processing fluid to a strip of exposedphotographic material, said applicator system comprising: a housing,including means for retaining a quantity of processing fluid and meansdefining a nozzle opening through which said processing fluid is appliedto such strip of photographic material; means for blocking said nozzleopening subsequent to the application of such processing fluid to suchstrip of photographic material, said blocking means including a supportmember mounted for slideable displacement across said nozzle openingdefining means between a first position in which said nozzle opening isunblocked and a second position in which said nozzle opening is blockedby said support means, said support means having a support membersurface oriented in a direction toward said nozzle opening, and furtherincluding cam means located proximate the leading edge of said supportmember and extending from said support member surface toward said nozzleopening for camming said leading edge of said support member away fromsaid nozzle opening defining means during such displacement therebypreventing the leading edge of said support member from engaging suchnozzle opening and the area directly proximate thereto, whereby jammingof said support member is prevented.
 25. The applicator system of claim24 in which said cam means is formed as at least one raised rampedelement located on said support member proximate said leading edge ofsaid support member, said at least one raised ramped element beingfurther located on one side of said support member which is moved intojuxtaposition with said nozzle opening defining means when said supportmember is displaced to its second position.
 26. The applicator system ofclaim 24 in which said cam means is configured to fall into adiscontinuity located proximate the far end of said nozzle opening asconsidered with respect to displacement of said support member, said cammeans preventing movement of said support member from said secondposition to said first position when said cam means is disposed withinsaid discontinuity.
 27. The applicator system of claim 26 in which saidcam means is configured as at least one ramped element having aninclined surface with a height greater at its trailing end than at itsleading edge, said discontinuity being formed as a step into which saidat least one ramped element is configured to fall when said supportmember is in said second position.
 28. A sealing system for a fluidapplicator which dispenses fluid through a nozzle opening formed in suchapplicator, said sealing system substantially closing said nozzleopening following the dispensing of such fluid, said sealing systemcomprising: a support member mounted for movement from a first positionin which said support member is in a substantially uncoveringrelationship with said nozzle opening and a second position in whichsaid support member is in a substantially covering relationship withsaid nozzle opening; compressible foam material located on said supportmember so as to be moved into sealing juxtaposition with said nozzleopening when said support member is in its second position so as tocontact said fluid remaining proximate said nozzle opening subsequent tosaid fluid dispensing; and means associated with said foam material forretaining said foam material in a compressed state prior to contact withsaid fluid and releasing said foam material for expansion into saidnozzle opening for sealing the same subsequent to contact with saidfluid, and further, for thickening engaged portions of said fluid forpreventing said fluid from passing through said foam material andexiting from said nozzle opening.
 29. The sealing system of claim 28 inwhich said compressible foam material is an open cell urethane foam. 30.The sealing system of claim 28 in which said means associated with saidfoam material is a chemical with which said foam material is saturated.31. The sealing System of claim 30 in which said chemical is acoagulating chemical: 1-amino-2-sulfo-4-amino-n-butylanthraquinone.